Kyle sighed when he saw his talent. It was (SSS+)-Rank, the highest potential known by everyone but after knowing the true strength that lay outside the boundaries of this planet he shook his head with a bitter smile.
"It's the greatest rank a mortal can breakthrough into if he has enough talent. Moreover, it's impossible to know the exact potential after (SSS+)-Rank. Only when a person steps into the 'Ascendant state' and gains enlightenment from the universe will he be able to continue his journey toward a greater path."
Kyle mused. He liked how he had a lot of knowledge and because of this knowledge, his thought process wasn't the same as before.
If before he wanted to just become strong enough to protect his loved ones now he wanted to see what lay behind the boundaries of this planet.
"Will I be able to..?"
His voice sounded uncertain but the tiny upward movement on his lips gave him away. Now that he knew about the astonishing truth that was hidden behind a curtain, he wanted to reach a powerful stage.
He would try his best and see how long can he walk on this path leading toward immortality.
Anyway, what the worse could happen? He would fail? Or maybe he would get tired? right? So what? In the end, he would be satisfied with his choices.
Kyle smirked at his thoughts. Just a little more than a year ago he wanted to laze around because his talent was low and he knew even if he worked hard his whole life he would never be able to cross (B)-Rank but now he wanted to reach the top.
How can someone change so much in such a short period?
He touched a nearby tree and sped up in a straight direction. His figure flashed between the trees like a breeze. The sudden increased speed after sleeping for two whole months made him a little lightheaded but he felt refreshed when the fast wind brushed past his skin.
Within a few seconds, he became familiar with the increased speed and used the skill 'Swift steps'. In an instant his speed tripled and Kyle felt a little dizzy but he didn't stop and rushed passed the towering trees.
His senses spread out in the surroundings and immediately he sensed the faint voices of birds chirping around the trees, the few insects crawling on the grass he passed through. After a minute, he heard some whispers a few meters away from himself.
"Hmm, someone's speaking."
Kyle stopped and narrowed his eyes at a distance where he sensed the voices.
'Bia, where did you and the others get teleported out after the Array I drew was activated? I slept for so long that's why I don't know my exact location right now.'
'Moreover, I didn't see the building where those individuals held us captive when I woke up. Instead, I saw large chunks of broken bricks. Did the ones who injured you get caught by the Academy?'
A cold glint flashed through Kyle's eyes when he recalled the helplessness he felt seeing Bia's bloodied body. He released a large breath and slowly started moving toward the place where he heard the voices.
-'The Academy did catch some of them. However, I heard the main culprit who planned everything got away unscathed and the Principal is trying his best to find him.'
Kyle hummed. He took a mental note to find out this person who dared to lay his hands on Bia.
-'We appeared in a village. An elf's village filled with old elves.'
'An elf's village?'
Kyle raised his brow with surprise. Does that mean he was too far away from Kingdom Escalante? He looked at the only low-rank storage ring on his finger. This was the ring he picked up while fighting those men clad in black.
'Just how will I return to the Academy when I don't even have a clean set of clothes?'
Kyle cried out inwardly. Never in his life had he felt so poor!
'What about my storage rings? My mana stones? My gold coins? My (S)-Rank sword?'
Bia's amused voice resounded in his head. She laughed at his panicked voice.
-'Tsk, tsk, don't cry. All the others got their storage rings back so I think your storage rings are with the Principal.'
Kyle sighed with relief but in the next second, he froze. With a swift movement, he hid behind a tree.
A few steps away from him an old couple was standing.
Kyle peeked out from behind the tree, his eyes narrowed slightly when he saw their pointed ears. The old elves couple was wearing white robes.
He noticed the old man was flustered as he tried to soothe the woman next to him.
The old woman with white hair scoffed and pushed the green-haired old man away.
"He said in his last letter he is coming so why isn't he here yet?"
With a perplexed expression, the green-haired man sighed.
"Dear, listen to me our grandson is busy. He promised he would come back in a few days. Let's go back home."
Kyle blinked when he saw them fighting. Well, he won't say they were fighting. Instead, it looked like an old husband was coaxing his runaway wife to return home.
He wrinkled his brows and tried to sense their strength.
'The woman is (C)-Rank but I can't sense the old man's rank, he is probably stronger than me.'
After thinking for a minute, Kyle took a deep breath and wore an innocent expression. He wasn't sure about his location so it was better if he asked for a little help.
"Excuse me?"
The moment Kyle spoke the green-haired man abruptly turned around and stared at him with squinted eyes.
The old man stood in front of the old woman in a protective stance. He opened his mouth and a deep voice resounded everywhere.
"Who are you? How did you appear here? Why didn't I sense your presence."
Kyle didn't change his expression even after hearing the old man's cold voice. His long hair hid half of his eyes as he fiddled with his fingers.
"Actually I am lost. Sir, can you tell me where is this place?"
